A Southwest Airlines crew touchingly honored a 2-year-old “hero” passenger with a heartwarming pre-flight announcement throughout his closing journey house from New York after grueling cancer therapies.
The boy, solely recognized by the identify Cruz, was identified with stage 4 neuroblastoma final yr, and he and his mother and father had been touring on the airline backwards and forwards from their house in San Diego, Calif., to New York for therapy for him, according to NBC News.
On Cruz’s closing flight house after he was declared cancer-free in March, the attendants on the airplane took a second to handle “a very special passenger on board.”
“We have a young hero named Cruz, who is 2 years old. He has been battling a very rare form of cancer. He is now officially cancer-free!” one of many flight attendants introduced over the audio system, according to a video shared by Southwest.
Cruz appeared between his mother and father as he slowly realized the reward was for him.
“We are so honored to be able to fly you home. We’re so very proud of you. You’re very strong and brave,” the attendant informed the kid.
Cruz’s mother and father informed NBC News that “the emotions kind of all hit” when the cabin erupted in applause.
“[Cruz] felt recognized. He was excited,” his father stated.
His mom added, “He even said, ‘I’m strong. They’re talking about me — I’m strong.’ ”
The crew additionally individually requested passengers to put in writing “words of encouragement” for Cruz.
Dozens of vacationers, all complete strangers to Cruz, scrawled their congratulations on napkins, which had been collected and gifted to the toddler.
“Congratulations on such a hard battle won! You must be incredibly brave & strong – your parents too. I wish you all the best & happiest things in life and the peace of healing!” one individual wrote.
Others embellished their notes with cartoons of stick figures, taking pictures stars and Mickey Mouse.
Neuroblastoma is the most typical cancer in kids beneath the age of 5, in keeping with the American Cancer Society. The cancer develops within the early nerve cells, or neuroblasts, within the sympathetic nervous system.
High-risk neuroblastoma instances have an estimated 50% five-year survival charge, in keeping with the Mayo Clinic.
